Was Rolling Stones Founder Brian Jones Murdered?
1969 Death Investigationi May be Reopened
Sep 1, 2009
Police in Sussex, England have confirmed that they are examining documents given to them by investigative journalist Scott Jones. Jones, no relation to Brian Jones, has been researching the events surrounding the former Rolling Stones member’s death for the last four years.
He has been reviewing evidence and speaking to key witnesses, and in an article for the Daily Mail written in November 2008, he writes, “I’m convinced Brian Jones’ death was not fully investigated. The only question remains is why?”
Post Mortem Results Show Death Not Caused by Drugs and Alcohol
Jones’ body was found in the swimming pool after a party at his home in Cotchford Farm, East Sussex, just three weeks after leaving the Rolling Stones. An inquest returned a verdict of misadventure, claiming Jones had been under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Post mortem results, however, showed he had not taken any illegal drugs and had only consumed the amount of alcohol equal to three and half pints of beer.
Conspiracy theorists and a new film, The Wild & Wycked World of Brian Jones, claim he was murdered by his builder, Frank Thorogood, during an argument over a debt. Thorogood supposedly wanted to scare Jones into paying a debt, but accidentally held him under the water for too long. Thorogood allegedly confessed to murdering Jones right before his own death in 1993.
Tour Manager’s Girlfriend Contradicts Original Statement to Police
Scott Jones published an article for the Daily Mail last year with the contents of an interview he conducted with Janet Lawson, girlfriend of Rolling Stones tour manager Tom Keylock. Lawson was at the home the night of Jones’ death and claimed that her original statement to police was “…a pack of lies… total rubbish.”
Lawson claims that the police tried to put words in her mouth, contradicting her official statement in 1969. She died of cancer shortly after her new sworn testimony.
Lawson’s claims are supported by Albert Evans, the first officer on the scene the night of Jones’ death. Evans concluded that Jones died as a result of a fight with Thorogood, whom Lawson claims to have seen jump into the pool and “do something” to Brian. New evidence shows that three unidentified witnesses were allowed to leave the scene without ever being interviewed.
Former Girlfriend of Alleged Murderer Planned to Tell the Media
Police files reveal that Joan Fitzsimons, former girlfriend of Thorogood, had been attacked and left for dead just three weeks following the death of Jones. Fitzsimons had apparently planned to speak to the media about what she knew.
Pat Andrews, former girlfriend of Brian Jones, believes his body should be exhumed in light of disturbing new evidence.
Sussex Police May Reopen Case
Up until now, Sussex police have refused multiple requests to reopen the case. They are now going through six hundred documents provided by journalist Scott Jones, and studying previously unseen files released by the Public Records Office.
Sussex police say it's too early to comment at this time, but that a new investigation may be a possibility.
